THQ and WWE’s ‘direct relationship’

The lucrative WWE video games franchise will benefit greatly from the “new direct relationship” between publisher THQ and the sports entertainment company, according to UK marketing director Jon Rooke.

“It benefits us massively,” Rooke told MCV. “In previous years, we’ve effectively had to communicate with WWE via Jakks Pacific and that slowed communication, lost things in translation and challenged our ability to really maximise the potential of that licence.

“We now have what I call a ‘hotline to Vince’ [WWE CEO Vince McMahon]. I’d liken it to having a relationship with your girlfriend through her mother. It’s not going to be the best relationship in the world and you’re not going to get everything you want from it.”

In addition, Rooke also outlined some lofty ambitions for future promotions of THQs game within WWE’s TV programming.

“Our goal is to be much more aligned with the brand itself, and we fully expect to deliver upon that within the next couple of products,” he assured.

“You’ll be able to watch WWE programming in the UK and Smackdown vs Raw will be a part of that broadcast. Maybe the Holy Grail is to have a storyline about the box reveal, and wrestlers fight it out to see who will appear on the box. That’s the kind of stuff we want to do.”

MCV is the leading trade news and community site for all professionals working within the UK and international video games market. It reaches everyone from store manager to CEO, covering the entire industry. MCV is published by NewBay Media, which specialises in entertainment, leisure and technology markets.